Industrial Antiques And Collectibles Need Color: Add Flowers To Your Antique Booth Displays

Metal Factory Wash Basin With Colorful Flowers Is A Great Accent To Your Antique Booth

Dealers who sell metal industrial antiques and collectibles know that their booth will look a bit drab unless they add some color. One of the best ways to perk up a booth filled with Factory antiques is too decorate with some live flowers. It seems like such a simple concept, yet many dealers plop their metal  pans, basins, tubs down on a field or in their booth and wonder why sales are slow. Customers need to get ideas....add flowers...and watch your inventory move.


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mixing Patterned Textiles in An Antique Booth To Show Off Folk Art Antiques And Collectibles

Decoratng Your Antique Booth With Patterned Textiles

Textiles are often used by Antique dealers to add color and interest to Antique booth displays. In my booth at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, 1950s colorful tablecloths are frequently used not only to perk up the booth but because the patterns aand palette of these vintage tablecloths help accentutate the time period of the collectible that I sell.

Strolling around The Harwinton Antiques Show recently, I came across a gal who speciallized in Folk Art, Outsider Art and Americana. She used a combination of a tight patterned Folk Art textille for a wall background with a loose pattern geometric cloth for a tablecloth. Look how ell her booth showed off
her collectibles.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Vintage Holiday Decorating With Red, White, Green Housewares,Textiles, Collectibles

Retro Christmas Decorating With Collectible     Kitchenwares, Linens, Tins 

Using red  and green vintage textiles, ceramics, housewares and linens from the 1940-1950s is a great way to add holiday spirit to your home at this time.  Red, green and white was a very common combination of colors in the 1940s and early 1950s so that you will have an easy time finding collectibles in these colors.

Thrifty Holiday Decorating For Christmas

The beauty of decorating your home for the  holidays using vintage linens, housewares and decorative accessories is that you  can accomplish so much with a small budget.

Nostalgic Decor For Your Holiday Home

And unlike manufactured store bought household goods, vintage treasures are durable and nostalgic.
Baby boomers who grew up in the 1940s-1950s can share older styles with their families and create new versions of holiday decorating.

The latest slogan is that old is the new new!  

Here are some ideas of vintage home and kitchen collectibles that will look nice for Christmas.

Vintage Holiday Ideas In RED  WHITE GREEN

1. crocheted potholders
2. vintage cookie or candy tins
3. old ceramic planters
4. glass pitchers
5. colorful vintage tablecloths
6. kitchen canisters
7. picnic tins
8. beverage glasses
9. trays
10. barware
11.napkins
12. tea towels
13. carts
14. stools
15. shelves

16. old holiday cards
17. vintage dishes
18. vintage ornaments
19. kitchen utensils
20. serving pieces


Photos courtesy of :

Main Street Antiques, Semour, CT

Farms Village Antiques , West Simsbury, CT  http://www.farmsvillageantiques.com/

 C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Displaying Vintage Hankies On A Wire Hat Stand

Handkerchiefs Look Sweet Displayed On A Wire Hat Stand

Adorable is how these colorful vintage hankies look when folder and tucked into the base of a wire hat stand. You can find lots of wire hat stands online. Just do a Google search "wire hat stands" and you will find plenty of sources.

And you could also "double duty" this display idea by adding a vintage hat to the top of the hat stand.
This cute prop was on display at "Antiques On The Farmington, Collinsville, CT

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Displaying Antiques And Collectibles Using Concrete Reinforcment Wire

Hanging Vintage Trivets And Other Collectibles On Concrete Reinforcement WireRetro Hang-Up Ideas

Need more space in your antique shop or antique booth? How about using concrete reinforcement wire to form a grid display to hang your favorite objects on. On a recent trip to "Not Just A Crock", a huge sprawling antique store in Westbrook, Connecticut, I spotted several displays using concrete reinforcement wire.

Antique Window Displays

I have to say that the window displays (using the wire grid) really got my attention. In the photo shown, wrought iron trivets and other objects are hanging from this concrete reinforcement wire. What a great way to gain more "wall" space and to feature trivets of various sizes and shapes.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Using An Old 1950's Refrigerator As A Showcase For Your Antique And Collectibles Displays

Retro Refrigerator Works Great For Displaying Collectibles

What a hoot finding an old 1950s refrigerator used as a display case to show off tschotkes they sell at Anthropologie in Manchester, Connecticut. I walked into the store and shortly found this old turquoise refrigerator open and stuffed with goodies such as candy dishes, ceramic plates, cookie jars, towels etc.

Wire Racks Work For Display Shelves

Everything that was placed in the refrigerator were items that were for sale. The wire racks were pulled out as display shelves. The inside of the doors were also used to present wine and bar accessories8including wine glasses and wine bottles as props.

Even The Plastic Vegetable Bin Works To Display Items

Every nook and cranny of the refrigerator was utilized for showcase space. Even the plastic vegetable bin or cheese bin was pulled out and had books for sale propped inside the handy compartment.

Buying A Vintage Refrigerator

This ideas is way too cool to forget, It's not that easy finding old turquoise refrigerator buy and to use. I have come across a few buyers who have acquired them for use as
"collectibles' in a vintage kitchen or store window. But if the refrigerator is going to be used as display space...it might be possible to find "bruised" models that will work just fine for
showing off collectibles or collections in the home or in an Antique shop .

Where To Buy A Vintage Refrigerator

If you keep your eyes open, you will find shops that deal in old appliances that may have connections to old refrigerators. Or scout around junk shops, on-line auctions, Craigslist, old homes being sold and flea markets. But I've never seen an old refrigerator at a flea market. I like the idea of buying a Turquoise or pink or yellow refrigerator...but of course these will be harder to find.

Happy hunting!

Photos courtesy of Anthropologie in Manchester, CT.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Adopt A Bathroom: Displaying Collectibles In Your Antique Mall Bathroom:

Bathrooms Are A Perfect Place For Displaying Collectibles, Vintage Wall Decor And Extra Storage

Are you running out of space for your collectibles in your shop, mall (or home) ? Well here is the perfect solution...adopt the bathroom. If you lease space in a large Group Shop or Antiques Mall, what does your bathroom look like? Can you adopt the space?

Is Your Bathroom Boring?

Is your bathroom boring? Do you have anything hanging on the walls? What about shelves, does your bathroom have any nooks and crannies? What can you do to change this space into display space?

Claim Your Bathroom

Don't waste any time....claim your bathroom. Here is what I did a few years back. I was renting space in a large Multi-Dealer shop with a stinky poopy bathroom. BUT it had lots of walls and plenty of room. In my mind, I could see the perfect make-over and now all I had to do was convince the owner of the Group Shop to offer me the additional space at no cost in exchange for making it look attractive or interesting and keeping it fresh and tidy. When the bathroom was done, shoppers loved to visit the bathroom!

Creating Shelves from Old Wooden Boxes

I mounted an assortment of different size wooden boxes (that had compartments or dividers) on the wall to create "shelves' and display boxes for small and cute collectibles. I used a vintage powder room- quirky theme and gathered up all the odds and ends that I didn't mind placing in the bathroom. I covered the walls with fun stuff!

If you have things that are "precious' you can also hang a locked glass cabinet on the wall if you have space. But I used the bathroom as an extra space to "store" and display the overflow from my booth and just displayed low value items.

What To Display In Your Vintage Bathroom

1. Old drugstore tins.
2. Vintage pharmacy bottle.
3. Old magazine advertising (beauty, fashion, hair, cosmetics).
4. Talc tins.
5. Baby and nursery accessories.
8. Quirky figurines.
9. Orphaned objects (one of a kind).
10. Old hats
11. Hair nets, hair pins, rollers.
12. Old hair blowers.
13. Shaving collectibles.
14. Nail accessories.
15. Vintage soap.
16. vanity collectibles.

Should You Worry About Missing Objects ?

When I converted the bathroom of the Group Shop I was leasing a booth in, I actually sold a lot of things out of the bathroom. I never put anything too good in the bathroom and I never worried about things that were missing. In fact, sometimes i really wanted some fo those good ole things to disappear.


Tips About Collectibles in Bathrooms

Be sure that you have plenty of toilet paper, paper towels and soap in a dispenser. You do not want people using your "collectibles' in place of the products they ought to be using.!

Photo are courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelleystreetvintage

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Decorating And Design Tips For Antique Mall Booths

Paying Attention To "Fronts" And Entry Points in Your Antique Booth Or Shops

I have been studying how antique dealers concentrate on the "fronts" or entry points in their booths or shops.
The first places a visitor sees when visiting your booth are very important in an Antique Mall.

Creating Eye-Catching Displays

Obviously in a multi-group shop you want your goods to stick out and show off well. After all in a larger store, there are so many dealers that if you don't create an eye catching "front' how will you "pull-in" the buyers.

And another reason to pay attention to the front of your booths is to get as much bang for your buck as possible. In other words, when you are leasing booth space, you want every inch to count.

Here are some tips to consider when organizing your displays in an Antique Mall.

1. Create colorful displays for the "front" of your booth.
2. Stay away from brown or dark shelves. Re-paint shelves in lighter colors.
3. Use white or glass shelves for the front of your booth or outside edge.
4. Consider using open shelves that you can peek inside the booth.
5. Don't close your booth in.
6. Use attention getting objects on the entry to your booth., i.e. a quirky object, a humorous display, a good example of what you specialize in.
7. Add signs over your booth or on visible walls to attract folks to come to your booth.
8. Your glass cabinets should have mirrors and lighting.
9. Consider dressing up shelves with shelf edging or paint the edges another color.
10. Keep your displays interesting and not so crowded that you cant make out what is on display.
11. Hang objects on the sides and backs of shelves.
12. Dress forms with clothing and accessories are great attention getters.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.